How the Test is Performed

An IVP is done in a hospital radiology department or a health care provider's office.

You may be asked to take some medicine to clear your bowels before the procedure to provide a better view of the urinary tract. You will need to empty your bladder right before the procedure starts.

Your provider will inject an iodine-based contrast (dye) into a vein in your arm. A series of x-ray images are taken at different times. This is to see how the kidneys remove the dye and how it collects in your urine.

You will need to lie still during the procedure. The test may take up to an hour.

Before the final image is taken, you will be asked to urinate again. This is to see how well the bladder has emptied.

You can go back to your normal diet and medicines after the procedure. You should drink plenty of fluids to help remove all the contrast dye from your body.

How to Prepare for the Test

As with all x-ray procedures, tell your provider if you:

Are allergic to contrast material

Are pregnant

Have any drug allergies

Have kidney disease or diabetes

Your provider will tell you if you can eat or drink before this test. You may be given a laxative to take the afternoon before the procedure to clear the intestines. This will help your kidneys to be seen clearly.

You must sign a consent form. You will be asked to wear a hospital gown and to remove all jewelry.

How the Test will Feel

You may feel a burning or flushing sensation in your arm and body as the contrast dye is injected. You may also have a metallic taste in your mouth. This is normal and will go away quickly.

Flushing

Skin blushing or flushing is a sudden reddening of the face, neck, or upper chest due to increased blood flow.

Kidney stones

What Abnormal Results Mean

The test may reveal kidney diseases, birth defects of the urinary system, tumors, kidney stones, or damage to the urinary system.

Risks

There is a chance of an allergic reaction to the dye, even if you have received contrast dye in the past without any problem. If you have a known allergy to iodine-based contrast, a different test can be done. Other tests include retrograde pyelography, MRI, or ultrasound.

Allergic reaction

Allergic reactions are sensitivities to substances called allergens that come into contact with the skin, nose, eyes, respiratory tract, and gastroin...

Kidney anatomy - illustration

The kidneys are responsible for removing wastes from the body, regulating electrolyte balance and blood pressure, and the stimulation of red blood cell production.

Kidney anatomy

illustration

Kidney - blood and urine flow - illustration

This is the typical appearance of the blood vessels (vasculature) and urine flow pattern in the kidney. The blood vessels are shown in red and the urine flow pattern in yellow.

Kidney - blood and urine flow

illustration

Intravenous pyelogram - illustration

An intravenous pyelogram is performed by injecting contrast material into a vein in the arm. A series of x-rays are taken at timed intervals as the contrast material goes through the kidneys, the ureters (the tubes connecting the kidneys to the bladder), and the bladder. The procedure helps to evaluate the condition of the kidneys, ureters, and bladder.

Intravenous pyelogram

illustration

Kidney anatomy - illustration

The kidneys are responsible for removing wastes from the body, regulating electrolyte balance and blood pressure, and the stimulation of red blood cell production.

Kidney anatomy

illustration

Kidney - blood and urine flow - illustration

This is the typical appearance of the blood vessels (vasculature) and urine flow pattern in the kidney. The blood vessels are shown in red and the urine flow pattern in yellow.

Kidney - blood and urine flow

illustration

Intravenous pyelogram - illustration

An intravenous pyelogram is performed by injecting contrast material into a vein in the arm. A series of x-rays are taken at timed intervals as the contrast material goes through the kidneys, the ureters (the tubes connecting the kidneys to the bladder), and the bladder. The procedure helps to evaluate the condition of the kidneys, ureters, and bladder.